Saturday, December 30, 2006

The Wolverines head to Pasadena to play in the 93rd Rose Bowl game against Southern California. This will be the 19th appearance in the Rose Bowl for Michigan, and the eighth time they’ll be playing USC in Pasadena, having lost five of the last six against the Trojans. The stakes of the game are merely window dressing: a likely #3 ranking (though who knows, with the polls), and a probable #1 ranking in the pre-season for 2007 (for whatever that’s worth). USC is one of only two Division I teams that have played more than four games against Michigan to have a winning record against the Wolverines, having won five out of the nine meetings. Anyone? Anyone? Army is the other, with a matching 5-4 record against the Wolverines. So with that knowledge in the memory banks, it’s time for the final version of the MZone's KNOW YOUR FOE.

History – USC was founded in 1880 with 53 students and 10 faculty members. The school was actually founded as a Methodist university. In 1879, Judge Roberty Widney led a board of trustees that received a gift of land from three Los Angelinos - Ozro W. Childs, a Protestant horticulturist; former California governor John G. Downey, an Irish-Roman Catholic pharmacist and businessman; and Isaias W. Hellman, a German-Jewish banker and philanthropist. In addition to the land, Ozro, John, and Isaias (I love those names) established an endowment that would support the school. The first graduating class of three – including a female valedictorian – received their diplomas in 1884.

The school has grown to an enrollment of 33,000 students, evenly split between undergrads and grad students, about half the students are from out of state, and it is the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles.

Location – Los Angeles, California. Not quite Mount Pleasant, Iowa City, or Madison. Los Angeles is the second largest city in the U.S., and the and at just under 4 million, it’s population is 41st in the world. L.A. County has just under 10 million residents. It’s big enough to house another major university (UCLA), just about the entire film, TV and recorded music industries, and it sets many trends that the nation follows, for good and for bad. Some of its communities are as well known as most cities: Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, East L.A., Hollywood, Westwood, Venice Beach and the San Fernando Valley. The Mediterranean climate – where the average temperature varies from only 65 to 82 degrees – has long since been an attraction to people moving there as well as visitors.

Nickname - Trojans. Despite being a rather common nickname in high schools and at lower levels of NCAA competition, USC is one of only two Division I football teams with the Trojan monicker (Troy State being the other). And boy, do they love their Trojans at USC. The students are known as “Men/Women of Troy.” One of the major campus landmarks is the Trojan Shrine where a statue of Tommy Trojan is displayed. It's a life-sized bronze statue of a Trojan warrior sculpted by Roger Noble Burnham and was unveiled in 1930. Inscribed on the pedestal are the qualities of the ideal Trojan: "Faithful, scholarly, skillful, courageous, and ambitious." I guess O.J. had some of those qualities.

Trojans hasn't always been the nickname of USC, though. Until 1912, the sports teams were known as the Fighting Methodists or the Wesleyans, though neither name was official. It's interesting to wonder if the USC football team would have even come close to their history of success if they'd kept either of these names. The Trojan name actually came about in defeat. During a track and field meet with Stanford, USC was eliminated from winning after only a few events. However, the team didn't give up and ended up losing by just a little. Afterward, Los Angeles Times sportswriter Owen Bird wrote that the USC team "fought like Trojans," and the name was officially adopted soon after.

Mascot – Traveler, a live horse. Traveler is a white steed that carries a "Trojan warrior" - usually just some kid from Orange County whose dad gave seven figures to SC - into the stadium. It's actually been one of the great traditions in college football since it began in 1961. They are currently using Traveler VII. Before the L. A. Coliseum was renovated in the 1990's, there was a running track around the filed that proved to be a perfect area for Traveler to trot during the games. But with the removal of the track, and with just about every celebrity in town- and Snoop's posse - on the sideline during games, the riding has become much more treacherous for Traveler, and he even had a minor accident with a spectator in 2000.

But Traveler wasn't the first mascot for USC. Believe it or not, a campus mutt named George Tirebiter was the mascot starting in 1940. Yes, the dog was so named because he went around campus chasing cars. There's even has a statue in his honor on campus.

Colors – Cardinal and Gold. For the first 15 years, USC's color was gold. I guess it was too early to have more than one color. During that time, the College of Liberal Arts had its own color, cardinal. In 1895, the university had a crazy thought and decided to actually have TWO official colors, so cardinal and gold it was. The color scheme isn't the most unique. After all, Michigan's already faced one opponent with the exact same combo this year - Minnesota - and another with a very similar scheme, Central Michigan. USC's not even the only school in the Pac 10 with the color scheme as Arizona State is pretty much same, though they emphasize the gold part more. But when I see the cardinal and gold color scheme I think of USC. Maybe it's because of their greatness on the field. Or maybe it's how they've barely changed their uniforms over the years. Or maybe because it looks so good on the Song Girls. Whatever the reasone, USC's colors are perfect for USC.

And do we have to mention how this is the fourth straight game for Michigan against an opponent with red - or scarlet or crimson or cardinal - as part of their color scheme? Red is just far too common in college sports. But we'll allow it for USC. Their version is perfect.

Logo – Interlocking S and C. Though it's a pretty standard style - and not even all that unique - it works for USC. When anyone with any knowledge of college football sees the USC logo they think of the Trojans. No one out there would confuse it for South Carolina, or Siena College. Of course the logo on the helmet of a Trojan head also screams USC. The helmet has changed only once since 1971, when in 1992 the Trojan head was updated, showing the neck with the head turned as opposed to a pure profile. Whether it was the strained neck , or the tie to San Diego State and the loss to Fresno State, USC was back to their traditional version the following year. The only other change has been a return to a gray facemask in 2001. Prior to having the Trojan on the side, which started in 1972, USC had no logo on the cardinal helmet.

Fight Song – Fight On. If you're one of the few college football fans who can't hum this song, watch the Rose Bowl. I guarantee that by the end of the first quarter you'll be humming it. And you won't be able to get it out of your head until April. The band plays it. A lot. But it's a great song, even if overused. Composed in 1922 by USC dental student, Milo Sweet for a Trojan spirit contest, the words are simple, and the whole thing is only five lines long. The playing of Fight On, with Traveler running around the stadium, and the Song Girls swinging their arms to the tune, with the "V for Victory" sign made with their fingers brings chills to all USC fans. Well, maybe not all the Hollywood bandwagon jumpers they've picked up over the past few years, but certainly the hard core fans.

A mention has to be made here about the Trojan Marching Band, which is also known as The Spirit of Troy. Though the history of the band goes back to the formation of the university in 1880, the modern Trojan band took shape in 1970 with the arrival of Dr. Arthur C. Bartner and his unique "drive-it" style of marching. The band is perhaps the most famous of college marching bands, having performed at the Academy Awards, appearing with OutKast at the 2004 Grammy Awards performing Hey Ya!, and being in numerous TV and film productions. Plus, in 1979, the band recorded the title track for Fleetwood Mac's Tusk album which went platinum. No other collegiate marching band has ever received a platinum album. The so-called "Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe," is yet another ingredient that makes USC football what it is.

Academics – Long known as the "University of Spoiled Children" (19% of admissions are still associated with legacy preferences), or the "University of Second Chance," USC has changed its reputation over the past couple of decades. In the latest U. S. News Ranking of America's Best Colleges, USC is tied for 27th, with North Carolina and Tufts. Surprising to most Californians, this is only six slots behind prestigious Cal-Berkely, and only one spot behind UCLA. How has USC made this academic improvement? They used the oldest trick in Hollywood. Well maybe the second oldest since they didn't sleep with a producer to move up. No, they used money. Big time money. USC is the only university to receive five separate gifts of at least $100 million, including $175 million from Star Wars impresario George Lucas. The donation to the then-renamed School of Cinematic Arts, helped solidify that school's top-notch reputation. It is probably USC's most famous school, and grants degrees in screenwriting, film production and film producing and has added an Interactive Media Division for studying video games, virtual reality, and mobile media. Other USC schools that are highly regarded include the Marshall School of Business, the Leventhal School of Accounting, and the School of Architecture.

Athletics – Although most college sports fans would think of football when they think of USC, the Trojans have had great success elsewhere. USC men and women's teams have won 84 NCAA titles, which ranks third all time. This doesn't even include USC's 11 football championships since the NCAA doesn't grant those titles at the Division I level. Since 1912, USC is the only university in the world to have a gold medalist at every summer olympiad. In fact, USC has had more Olympic athletes than any other university in the world. The Trojans won at least one national title of some kind in 26 consecutive years from 1959 to 1985. In addition to the 11 football titles, USC has won 26 men's track and field championships, 16 men's tennis and seven women's tennis titles, and 12 baseball championships (twice as many as any other school). And, not surprisingly, the Men and the Women of Troy have each won six NCAA volleyball titles.

Famous alums – This is the most impressive list of any of Michigan's opponents. Hell, it could be the most impressive list of any school in the country. And though it's heavily weighted to the entertainment industry, it runs the gamut. From hugging and love expert Leo Buscaglia to Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Space, bitches. Space, indeed. The list also includes world famous architect Frank Gehry, L. A. Lakers owner Jerry Buss, General Norman Schwartzkopf, humorist Art Buchwald, and Judge Wapner. In the business world, USC alumni include the CEOs of Trader Joe's, Korean Air Lines, MySpace, J. D. Power and Associates, MGM Mirage, Citigroup, Costco, Emmis Communications, and the Willliam Morris Agency. And then there's the entertainment industry. USC has given us Ron Howard, Michael Landon, George Lucas, John Singleton, Marlo Thomas, Robert Zemeckis, Will Ferrell, Herb Alpert, Mark McGrath, John Ritter, Tom Selleck, Cybill Shepherd, Forest Whitaker, and John Wayne. And, of course, there's murderer hunter O.J. Simpson.

The Game – With two standout defenses, and a pair of inconsistent offenses, this one looks to be a low-scoring affair. But so did the tOSU game. Though the scoring won't get as out of hand as it did on November 18, there will be more points in Pasadena than most people expect. And Michigan will score more of them. MICHIGAN 27, USC 20.

Another great Know Your Foe, Benny. I especially liked the part about George Tirebiter. I can just picture some frat boys saying, "Somebody go find George - we've got a game tomorrow."

A pampered pooch like UGA probably doesn't leave anyone's site once the season starts.

Both USC and Michigan have a lot to live up to - given that the last two Rose Bowls were two of the best ever played. Since they have both contributed so much to that legacy, it's fitting they should have the first opportunity to try and top it.

This is a very evenly matched game. For those who support the bowl system over a playoff, this is Exhibit A.

Out of OSU's four ranked opponents, only two were arguably any good. Let's justify that with a quick look at Iowa and Penn State.

Iowa bowed to football powerhouse Indiana, lost five of their last six games, and finished unranked at 6-6. They never beat a ranked opponent, despite a winnable game against #16 Wisconsin. Kirk Ferentz's popularity bulb dimmed pretty quickly after a decent 2005 season.

And Penn State? They, too, failed to beat a single ranked opponent. Their wins include Akron, Youngstown State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Illinois, and Temple. Their best win was probably over Purdue. The win-loss record of the other teams they beat is far from impressive. (Northwestern only won 2 conference games; Michigan State and Illinois only won 1. The name "Temple" says it all for that team. And Youngstown State and Akron -- well, we won't go there.)

And let's not forget defense. Who is Ohio State putting up the numbers against? Only Wisconsin, Texas and Michigan offer Top 25 defenses:

Wisconsin is #3 in Total Defense with only 16 TDs, but their defense has played the worst offensive teams in the country. Michigan is ranked #6 in Total Defense, but suffer from the same problem: a bevy of weak opponents. (See below.) Penn State: ranked #16 against the same terrible batch of teams.

With regards to the interlocking SC - yes, unfortunately most of US sports enthusiasts recognize it as the Southern Cal emblem, and no, no one would confuse that particular emblem with the University of South Carolina (despite what Southern Cal lawyers claim), but South Carolina's football team did use the interlocking SC first- pictures of the 1902 football team show them having it on their jerseys. Today, only So Car's baseball team use it and it's different than the 1902 emblem I think. As for the moniker, "USC", the Univ of South Carolina was founded 79 years (1801) before Southern Cal, but then we were known as South Carolina College, and South Carolina College became the "University of South Carolina" after the Civil War in 1866; still 12 years before Southern Cal was founded. But, this is all good for yapping about, and Cock fans may pat ourselves on the back and feel slightly when the media use SC and USC, but we admit, the world outside South Cackelacky still knows USC and SC to refer to the Univ of Southern California. Frankly, I'd be delighted to let them use any damn emblem/logo/name originally belonging to South Carolina for a chance to trade with them their prestige and academic and athletic accomplishments.

For now, we'll have to earn our accolades instead of trading up for them- and it all starts today when we take on that mighty powerhouse Houston in the Liberty Bowl (I cannot understand why we even accept those types of bowl bids except it does give Spurrier's O another month of practice before next season).

Oh, and Gator1377 - I still say you guys keep it close and I hope you win, but you make it damn tough to root for the Gators, that's for sure.

gatorboy has been over at WeAreSC spewing his vitriol as well...Here's to a good game with lot's of mutual respect...You're all invited to drop by the WeAreSC tailgate if you can find it since the Rose Bowl parking is such a cluster eff...

Good one trojan mike. We'll see what happens in the "Pissed Off Bowl Game" according to Dallas Sartz.(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/SPORTS0201/612280403/1131/SPORTS0201) About a third of the page down. I think it will be the best of all the BCS and all other bowl games just because the teams are evenly matched.

You're treating this match-up the way it should be treated: the two most storied programs in our respective conferences meeting in the Rose Bowl for what (at least for a while) seemed to be an annual tradition. Not to mention, you guys have the classiest fan base I have ever experienced.

Best of luck in the game (though not too much luck), and regardless of the outcome, here's hoping for a rematch in next year's BCS NC game!

Both have good receivers(Manningham and Arrington vs. Jarrett and Smith), solid QB's(Henne-61.7 comp.% Booty-61.9%), UM has an edge at RB, both D's are good(SC probably has an edge at DB), and both offenses are tied for points scored/game(30.2). However UM runs more and USC passes more.

Hi Johnny,Thanks for answering my question...but your explanation can used for many teams playing each other in a bowl. My point is that unless teams play the SAME EXACT SCHEDULE, good teams cannot be compared to each other.

Andy, don't throw degrees of separation games out there unless you're making it fair game. SoCal had a horrible loss on their plate as well. In fact they loss to more unranked teams than the top entire half (maybe 2/3) of the SEC combined- just to point out a meaningless, nth degree of separation anecdote. By the way, Florida also beat Arky- at a time when the McFadden Travelling He-Man Tour was hitting its stride. I certainly don't blame you bringing it up though just to show Gator/anon the bs behind his logic.

My comments are not based on my belief that Michigan should be in the BCS game. My comments are based on the fact that the human system for "selection" is messed up. That coupled with the fact that the Gator fans that post here have proven to be complete idiots -- lead me to my current bitter role rooting for the Big 10 and tOSU.

And yes GttRB, having the nickname "Cocks" is pretty funny for us. There was a push a few years back to do away with that abbreviated nickname, but as you can imagine, it made it's supporters even more vocal with it.

Yost - you really need to push the "Kicking is for Pussies" t-shirts in Clemson and you'll make some money. Anyone watching that debacle on right now? HAHAHAHA I love it!

Andy - no offense meant with my previous post. I just re-read and realized it sounded strong.

The point is that Michigan is not more worthy than Florida to play in the title game and vice versa. And it is impossible to prove who is better unless they play each other or play the SAME EXACT SCHEDULE. But most of the country has a problem with the whining that came out of Michigan when Florida was chosen.

But most of the country has a problem with the whining that came out of Michigan when Florida was chosen.

I guess the moral of the story is it is alright to complain before the event to influence the outcome...like Urban Meyer (something about not recognizing the champion) rather than Carr (saying that he was disappointed) waiting until it was decided.

I think Carr didnt "politic" because he really would have looked like a loser after Tressel, (BEFORE the UM-OSU game), came out and said that the loser should not get the rematch. He had the guts to say that and Carr did not.I did not realize that to Michigan fans and Kirk Herbstreit, that the college football season ended on Nov 18th, while most schools still had to finish their season.

To get back on track here, great finale to "Know Your Foe." I must admit, while I didn't like the media blowjob USC got the last couple of years (and still by Mark May), I don't really have that much of a problem with them. Here's to a great game on Monday and with us coming out as the victors!

"But most of the country has a problem with the whining that came out of Michigan when Florida was chosen."

1. If you are trying to characterize the reaction of Carr to the decision as whining, you're way off-base. He's said it was a disappointment; he's said "we have a system...I've said all along the system would speak and it has;" he's said he believes that, had USC not lost, UM probably would have remained #3. The last was said matter-of-factly and not in the context of some larger argument about why UM got screwed. So... no whining there.

2. If you are talking about the UM fanbase reaction, well, I think it is pretty clear that most of the country is unhappy with the BCS, and much--if not most--of the country agrees that UM got jobbed this year. So...

Michigan did not deserve to play in the national championship. OSU does. Michigan lost when it counted and did not win its conference. Besides the game would settle nothing: if Michigan won it would be a toss up as to who is national champs and it may end up being split and I OSU won it would not prove anything becuase they have already beaten the girls, (Michigan). As it stands now, it is conference champ against conference champ.......LSU fan.

UCLA had 5, count them, 5 losses when they beat USC. Yet somehow USC remains in the top ten after such a defeat? It was made worse for USC last night when UCLA lost to FSU. What is Michigan going to look like when SC beats them.....

Michigan Tech beatFindlay who beatCharleston WV who beatWest Liberty St who beatDuquesne who beatFordham who beatAlbany NY who beatLehigh who beatVillanova who beatJames Madison who beatNew Hampshire who beatNorthwestern who beatIowa who beatIowa St who beatMissouri who beatMississippi who beatVanderbilt who beatGeorgia who beatAuburn who beatFlorida

Of topic, but last night at the Holiday Bowl I corrected a Cal fan who said "Go Big Blue" when he saw my Michigan sweatshirt, he seemed confused when I sternly (yet politely) informed him that diehard Michigan fans will not allow any of our traditions to be bastardized by ESPN. I informed him that true Michigan fans will only accept a cordial "Go Blue" from others. I then asked him to kindly pass along this new information to all of his friends. Go Blue!!! and thank you for your time.

Benny, thanks for the unexpected reminder of one of my favorite memories - Dec 29, 1992 Freedom Bowl - Fresno State 24, USC 7. I can still hear the USC-leaning announcer in Anaheim Stadium: "Will the lady who left her 11 children in the parking lot please pick them up? They're beating USC 24-7".

In 1967, seven young women were selected as the first USC Song Girl squad. These talented students walked onto the field of the Los Angeles Coliseum to cheer on the Trojan Football Team to victory, starting one of the most storied traditions in the history of collegiate sports. Some forty years later, after numerous National Championships for both the Football Team and the Song Girl squad (also known as the USC Song Leaders), the women, now numbering twelve, look resplendent as ever in their trademark white uniforms trimmed in Cardinal and Gold. The Song Girls, who perform three dozen new dance routines each year, appear at all football games as well as basketball and volleyball games. In addition, the squad appears at rallies, university and alumni functions, and conducts its own Junior Song Girl camp. Media appearances include both television and radio programs and commercials. The squad also performs internationally. The squad has traveled to Italy, Austria, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Japan, China and Australia. The Song Girls, together with the USC Trojan Marching Band, are the most visible public face of the University, and function as the ambassadors of spirit and good will for the Trojan Family.

As for those who think that South Carolina is USC, remember that S. Car didn't become the University of South Carolina until they redid their charter in 1906. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_South_Carolina

Anon 9:34 - Nice try, but you're wrong re: when South Carolina College became University of South Carolina - it was way back in 1866, not 1906. To use your link (and thanks for the link) read the first sentence in the third paragraph under "History". They were opened and closed a couple different times after the Civil War, once being called an Ag and Mechanical school, once being deemed a liberal arts school, etc. A lot of this had to do with Ben Tillman - who despised the University of South Carolina and who was later instrumental in the creation of Clemson University.

All of this is fine and dandy like hard Christmas candy, but I'm the first to admit that the world generally thinks of Southern Cal when they they read the letters, "USC".

I laugh at Southern Cal's adamant attitude that they are USC, they own the interlocking SC letters emblem, and no one better dare use those initials, ever. I thought it was the University as a whole, but it is not, just the Trojan athletics department and their legal office. They even have rules forbidding the use of those "trademarks" by student organizations on campus without written, special permission, signed, and counter-signed in triplicate. Funny people. Great school.

I also leanred a lot about Univ of SOuthern California after reading this edition of "Know your foe". I had no idea that they were as well thought of academically, but now I know and am impressed.

vujWell said, UK. While I believe bowls can benefit recruiting, booster support, etc., the risk for a favored team in any bowl, but the big one, seems to far outweigh the rewards. Take Clemson-Kentucky, Clemson had nothing to gain by beating Kentucky, nothing whatsoever, but everything to lose with the loss. Same thing with Texas-Iowa, BC-Navy, SoCar-Houston, and a host of others. Basically, you get a small school that gets up for the game, a big school that doesn't, and it's just not a fun game to watch for anyone. Kind of like a mid-week game in college baseball. Little schools knock off powerhouses all the time in midweek games because they throw their stud pitcher against the mid-week pitcher for the big team, because the mid-week game doesn't mean squat to the big team as long as they do well in the following weekend conference series. In a way, this also points to a problem in a playoff system. Would Michigan or OSU hold back the starters to save injuries in the Big Game if both of their spots in the playoffs were finalized already? Maybe a bad specific example, but hopefully I fumbled through my point enough.

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